Utah's Osmond Boys Have Many Guest Spots
Sacramento Bee TV Magazine
September 15 - September 21, 1968
Hollywood ~ Those nice, clean‑cut kids from Utah, the Osmond Brothers, a shining example of the theory "The family that plays together stays together," are making a very good thing out of going the wholesome‑goodness route in show business.
The boys have been touring with Andy Williams on one‑night stands around the country this summer, returning to Hollywood in time to tape the fall Jerry Lewis Shows. Considered semi‑regulars, The Osmonds are signed for 10 Lewis guest spots while Nanette Fabray and Kaye Ballard will do four apiece. The boys also will join discoverer Williams on his Christmas show and accompany him in concerts when not in conflict with the Lewis TV dates.
Last season the youngsters turned up in a couple of Lewis hours.
Using far‑out harmonics taken from their barbershop quartet days, soft, pretty tunes and some "pop" numbers, the kids blend into Andy Williams' family image, something that began back in 1961 on Andy's first TV series. Discovered at Disneyland by the singer's father, four cute little boys ~ Alan 11, Wayne 9, Merrill 7, and Jay 5, walked on camera in mid‑season and charmed Andy with their cheerful sound and unspoiled country ways.
Now Alan is 18, and will take a leave for Army duty in October. Brother Wayne 16, will step into Alan's shoes as top dog, keeping tabs on Merrill 14, the lead soloist, Jay 12, Donny 10, and Jimmy 4, the only one who claims to be a "soul singer."
On the early Williams shows, baby Jay, 5 at the time, was the scene stealer, singing to the camera as if magnitized by its red light, while the brothers faced the audience. This fall Jimmy will freewheel as the uninhibited tail end.
An Army call, laryngitis or teen‑age voice changes have little effect on the group because talent can be switched at the last minute and new blood can be tapped from the family of nine. Some Osmond voices go way down then come back up, some skip a whole register in the tricky days and all keep working throughout. Leader Alan thinks it is helpful to sing through voice changes and is against any vocal vacations.
The Sacramento Bee, Week of Sept. 15‑21, 1968
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